Fluorescent lamp bulb breaking device



. 9, 1952 E. H. TELLIER FLUORESCENT LAMP BULB BREAKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 10, 1950 INVENTOR. EDGAR H. TELLIER BY Patented Dec. 9, 1952 FLUORESCENT LAMP BULB BREAKING DEVICE Edgar H. Tellier, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application January 10, 1950, Serial No. 137,776

1 Claim.

This invention relates to breaking devices and particularly to a device for breaking glass fluorescent tubes.

The disposal of fluorescent bulbs presents a very dangerous procedure particularly when the bulbs are broken and a person comes in contact with the gas escaping from the bulbs. Breathing of this gas presents occupational hazards that may cause severe physical discomfort and possible serious consequences to a persons health and well being. Therefore an object of this invention is to provide a device whereby the fluorescent tube may be broken into small particles and the gas be absorbed or confined within a medium where a person will not come into contact with the escaping gas.

A further object of this invention is to provide an enclosure into which a fluorescent tube may be inserted in conjunction with a constant stream of Water whereby as thetube is inserted further into the enclosure it is gradually broken up by a rotating breaking means and the broken glass together with the gas in the tube is washed down into a container or receptacle having an open drain through which the water and absorbed gas is permitted to flow into a drain leading to a sewer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fluorescent glass tube breaking device comprising a frame for detachably mounting a water pan provided with open drain holes and having a top support for mounting a motor and a hollow enclosure. The enclosure rotatably supports a breaking member secured to a shaft which is rotated by means of a motor through a pulley and drive belt arrangement. The enclosure is provided with an enlarged aperture at the top for threadedly mounting an elongated tubular member open at both ends and of sufiicient diameter to permit easy insertion of the conventional type of fluorescent tubes. The tubular member is also provided with an aperture through its side for mounting a connection for communication with a water source. The entire device provides means for the gradual breaking of the fluorescent tubes, and the absorbing, through the water, of the gas in the tube and facilitating the easy disposal of the gas and water through the drain into the receptacle containing the broken glass.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent tube breaking device that is rugged but economical to construct, easy to operate and satisfactory for the purposes intended.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one illustrative embodiment of the invention when considered with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the assembled unit constituting the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View of the invention, and t Figure 3 is a side elevational view in crosssection of the assembled unit constituting the invention. l

The assembled breaking device of one form of applicant's invention is designated by the numeral I0 and comprises a rectangularly supporting frame ll including vertical members l2 and base members I3 and a top support plate M. The support plate I4 is apertured at I5 for receiving an open end of an annular shaped enclosure member I6. The member I6 is perforated again at ll along its outer periphery for threadedly mounting a tubular member [8. The member I8 is open at both ends and is provided with an opening at l9 along the surface thereof. The

\ opening [9 is connected to a water source through a hose 20. The annular enclosure l6 has a pair of bearings 2|, one each of which is centrally disposed within the side walls 22 and provide sup port for a horizontal shaft 23 passing through the members for rotatably mounting a starshaped breaking wheel 24'. The wheel 24 may be keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 23 in any suitable manner. In operation, this wheel rotates freely within the member l6. Flange means 25, integral with member [6, bear upon the top support plate l4 when the member I6 is in operative position.

The shaft 23 extends through and beyond one side of the member l6 and supports a pulley 26 having a V-shaped outer peripheral surface for engaging a belt 21 which also engages the outer surface of a second pulley keyed to the drive shaft 29 of a prime mover shown as a motor 30. A safety belt guard 3! is mounted over the pulleys and belt and is secured to the top support plate H! by suitable fastening elements shown as 32.

A slidably supported pan 33 open at the top may be readily mounted within the frames II and is in direct communication with the opening l5 in the member [6. Drain apertures 34 are arranged in the front wall 35 of the pan 33 adjacent its bottom surface whereby water may readily flow or drain from the pan 33. Also arranged on the front wall 35 is a handle 36 with which the pan may be readily removed from the frame.

In operation, the prime mover 30, which is connected to any suitable electrical outlet, is actuated causing the pulley thereon to rotate and accordingly the belt 21 rotates the pulley 26, causing the wheel 24 to rotate within the member I6. Any suitable water valve disposed within the hose 20 is then opened permitting water to .fi,ow through the hose! into the tubular membeula. This-water flows downiinto the annular member I6, is swished around by the wheel 24 and discharged through the opening): into the water receptacle 33. From the receptacle the water is discharged through-the-drain holes 34 to any suitable source of disposal. A fluorescent tube shown as 35 may be inserted into the tubular member [8 from its top opening and pushed down against the wheel--24; As the wheel 24 breaks the tube 35, the gas con-- tained in the fluorescenttube escapes and is immediately absorbed by the water which, carries the-absorbed gas along th e path, heretofore dc.- scribed, for easy disposal. The'broken glassfrom the fluorescent tube is washed down intothe receptacle 33. When it, is desired to dispose of the glass, the receptacl e 33i'is'simply pulledout from theframe II and the contents emptiedinany convenient place.

It will be seen, therefore, that the applicant has provided an apparatus that readily-adapts itself to the breaking of useless fluorescent-tubes, andhasmeans for absorbing and disposing of the dangerous gas confined within-the; fluorescenttube.

Obviously, manychanges may-be made in the form, construction and arrangement of'the parts constituting the device without departing-from the spirit of the invention or sacrificingany of its advantages, and, the right is hereby. reserved-to make such changes, as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having -thus described 'my invention, what' I claim and desireto'secure by LettersPatentof the UnitedStates-is:

A device for-breaking fluorescent tubespro videdwith means for absorbing and" disposing ofth'e gas containedin" said tube; saididevice her, said tubular member open at both ends with one end secured to the side opening in said housing, saichtubular member provided with an opening in its side,.a hose connected with a water source, saidhose communicating with side opening,-inisaid tubular member, said water flowing freely through said tubular member, into said housing 7 and through said drainholes, a .motor, said motor secured, to said. top support-plate and arranged to actuate said breaker wheel;

EDGAR H.-

REFERENCES, CITED ,4

The-following references; are of record 1 in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS.

Number 4 Name Date 1 229,073: Allen, June 22,1880 741,947 Williams 00131.20; 1903 1,174,656 Beckwith Mar. 7,.1916 1,459,713. Baggs June;26,; 1923 1,619,004 Sternkopf -Mar. 1, .1927 633,733 Fish Junei21'; 1927 2,012,694 Bunyan-2-, Aug; 27,1935 2,279,116 Fink .Apr:,7,,l942 2,558,255.- Johnson: June-26,1951

OTHER REFERENCES-'- Engineering News Record, April 4,v 19.49, 241+ 99, vol. 142,v Issue No 15,.page,64..

Food. Industries, November 1949; page, 108. (Copy, in.,241-99.'),- 

